The aim of the DAMS team is to pursue the success it enjoyed in a particularly fruitful 2011 season, and the French team has given itself the weapons to do so. After Davide Valsecchi, the ideal team leader, it has just signed the very promising Brazilian, Felipe Nasr, creating a particularly complementary duo.
Felipe, who was born in Brasilia on 21st August 1992, has literally exploded on the motor racing scene. He made a stunning debut in single-seaters as he won the Formula BMW Europe Championship in his first season in 2009 with 7 victories and 14 podium finishes. He continued his meteoric rise by clinching the title in the very competitive British F3 Championship in 2011 (7 victories, 17 podium finishes) like his idol and fellow-countryman the late Ayrton Senna did in 1983. He is as consistent as he is quick and has showed real maturity for one so young. The duo he forms with Davide Valsecchi, combining experience and speed, is already an awe-inspiring one. The whole team can't wait to see him in action on the track starting with the first tests at Jerez between 28th February and 1st March.
Jean-Paul Driot, CEO: "I'm really delighted to welcome Felipe to the DAMS team. We've known him and followed his progress since his Formula BMW days, and we immediately spotted his incredible potential. We'll do what's necessary to allow him to express his talent and develop it throughout the whole GP2 Series Championship. With Davide's experience and Felipe's fieriness and youth we've got the best possible driver combination."
Felipe Nasr: "I am very happy that we managed to get all the details worked out and that I will be able to be in GP2 this year. After Italy in 2009, the UK in 2010 and 2011 it is time for me to move again and head to France, thanks to the combined efforts of my family, my manager Steve Robertson, my Brazilian sponsors and of DAMS, I have a new home where to work, improve my driving and prove my worth. I have so much to learn and I am sure that with DAMS in GP2 and with a strong team mate, I am in the right place to learn the trades of the series and of the new tracks that I will face. Have to say that some of them I already know from the Formula BMW time, but it will be a tough challenge getting out of the British cocoon I comfortably was for the last two years. I have no word to describe how happy I am to be able to continue to wear the colors of Brazil with two strong Brazilian sponsors that believe in me and will be supporting my career in the long run."
Felipe Nasr's career :
2012GA-Rolex (DP): Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian, 1 race (1 podium)
2011F3 British: Carlin, Champion, 318 points (7 victoiries, 17 podiums, 4 pole positions, 8 best laps)F3 Macau: Carlin, 2nd
2010F3 British: Räikkönen Robertson Racing, 5th, 136 points (1 victory, 4 podiums, 2 pole positions, 3 best laps)F3 Macau: Räikkönen Robertson Racing, 11th
2009F.BMW Europe: EuroInternational, Champion, 392 points (7 victoiries, 14 podiums, 6 pole positions, 6 best laps)
2008 F.BMW Americas: Amir Nasr Racing, 2 races, 11th, 25 points (1 podium)
